Luciano Gonzalez III passed away surrounded by his loving family on March 31, 2020, after a 24-year battle with cancer.

He is survived by his parents, Luciano Jr. and Martha Gonzalez, his wife, Martina, five children, Luciano IV (Dennise), Emilio (Vanessa), Luis (engaged to Ariel Vildosola), Marco and Eileen Gonzalez, as well as one grandson, Luciano Gonzalez V. Siblings are Ana Urquijo (Jose), Christina Gomez (Victor) and Raul Gonzalez (Liliana).

Luciano attended Loretto Catholic School and was a graduate of Douglas High School, Class of 1981. He was active in cross country and wrestling. His senior year, he won Regional Champion in his weight class and went on to compete at state, placing third. He spent his summers working in the fields in Elfrida and also worked for Douglas ARC.

After graduating from DHS, Luciano attended Cochise College for a year and then went on to study at the University of Arizona. While still a student, he married Martina Rivera of Douglas, who blessed him with five children. In 1987, he graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering.

He began his career in federal civilian service in the Self Defense Systems Department at the Naval Ship Weapons Systems Engineering Station at Port Hueneme in Oxnard, California, where he was employed as a civilian engineer in tactical ship weapon defense system, developing and testing. In 1990, he and a co-worker received an award for a suggestion that would later save the government $50,000 per year.

After five years, Luciano made his way back to Arizona, transferring to the US Department of the Army, in Ft. Huachuca, where he was employed by the U.S. Army Information Systems Engineering Command and later, the Army Signal Command. In June of 2014, Gonzalez was awarded the Achievement Medal for Civilian Service for outstanding achievement as an Electronics Engineer, Electromagnetic Environmental Effects Test Facility & Laboratories Directorate; U.S. Army Electronic Proving Ground. After 27 years of dedicated service, Luciano retired from the Department of the Army, in May of 2014.

Luciano had a great love for horses, hunting, and the outdoors. Traits passed on to him, which he later passed on to his own children. His expert riding skills led him to become a member of the B Troop – 4th U.S. Cavalry Regiment, which is one of the most famous and decorated regiments in the US Army. B Troop is a U.S. Army mounted ceremonial unit whose mission it is to promote the heritage and traditions of the U.S. Army in the Southwest during the period of the Indian wars and support recruiting, community relations, and official/nonofficial ceremonial functions.

Luciano was a man of great faith, and strong work ethic, a great example to his four strong sons and beautiful daughter. He was a true warrior, having fought brain cancer for so many years and was an inspiration to many with his "never quit", "get back on your horse" attitude. He will be deeply missed!